Shopping in Krabi - 15 Iconic Places to Shop At & What to Buy

As an emerging tourist destination in Thailand, Krabi is frequented by many tourists year-round. Subsequently, there has been a rise in the markets and malls due to higher incentives for tourists and shopping in Krabi. So let us take a look and discuss the nuances of the various shopping options of this beautiful city.

Markets in Krabi

1. Krabi Town Walking Street (also Krabi Night Market)

Held every weekend from Friday to Sunday, the Krabi Town Walking Street or the Krabi Night Market is the most celebrated shopping location in all of Krabi. Built around a center stage in the street of Soi Maharaj, the market is like a crowded fair where one can go shopping, eat, drink, and enjoy live music and dance.

The various stalls sell lifestyle items like clothes, fashion accessories, shoes, and even household items like pipes, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. Local artisans also sell handmade traditional trinkets and handicrafts. This market makes for excellent souvenirs to take back from Thailand. It is recommended that many items are likely knockoffs, so do a thorough quality check before buying. You should also indulge in bargaining, getting the best deals while shopping here.

Location: Soi Maharaj 8, behind Vogue Department Store
Timings: 5 PM to 10 PM (Friday to Sunday)

2. Ao Nang’s Catalunya Walking Street

Opened in 2007, Ao Nang’s Catalunya Walking Street is an L-shaped lane that resembles a marketplace. This street is ideal for shopping in Krabi and is accessible through the three entrances: the TMB Bank branch of Beach Road, a Haagen Dazs outlet, and the Sitti Cafe. The street is marked by dozens of small shops and stalls selling various souvenirs including Buddha Masks and statues, traditional Thai fabrics, candle-holders, etc. It also sells T-shirts, swimwear, etc.

For food, we recommend the Tex-Mex restaurant, which even features daily live music from 7:30 PM. The Blue Orchid is a must-visit, serving Mexican and Thai dishes, pizzas, kebabs, and burgers.

Location: At the southern corner of Ao Nang Beach Road
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Monday to Sunday)

3. Maharaj Market

Also known as the ‘morning market’, the Maharaj market is an enclosed market of fresh local produce. The market is flooded with exotic fresh goods like rice, spices, chili paste, colorful fruits, meat, fish, etc. Several food stalls also sell ready to eat meals and drinks at minimal prices. This market is the right place for fresh grocery shopping in Krabi. If you are looking to take back gifts, then be sure to look for Thai spices.

Location: Soi 7 off Mahajan Road in downtown Krabi
Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM (Daily)

4. Chao Fah Market

Located near the Chao Fah Pier, Chao Fah market is the largest night market in Krabi, where you can eat and drink. Numerous stalls, which serve a variety of local Thai cuisine, are lined up. There are also stalls that serve authentic Chinese cuisine and even Halal food. Seating is for visitors is arranged beside the stalls. Expect the market to be crowded as soon as it opens.

Location: Chao Fah Pier on Kong Ka Road, Krabi Town
Timings: 5 PM to Midnight (Daily)

Shopping Malls and Plazas in Krabi

1. Vogue Department Store

Located in the heart of the town, the Vogue Department Store is a three-story building with a Shopping Plaza lavishly placed in its basement. Vogue is reputed for selling branded and designer-labeled goods. The store has products such as clothes, toys, shoes, electronic gadgets, etc. There is a gaming room and a karaoke-mini-room in one corner of the plaza. Excellent eateries like KFC, The Pizza Company, Swensen’s, and Watson’s are also there to help you refuel after a long day of shopping. 

Location: 76/1 Maharaj Road, Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe Mueang Krabi

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM (Monday to Thursday); 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM (Friday to Sunday)

2. Klong Muang Plaza

A pack of antique and handicraft shops, messages and beauty parlors, cafes, and boutiques, the Klong Muang Plaza is quite different from the other shopping areas of Bangkok. The atmosphere in this place is relaxed, calm, and quiet. Massage parlors are available to destress the soul before indulging in shopping. The plaza also contains a couple of restaurants and a nice cosy bar owned by Nut and Annie. 

Location:  Nong Thale, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand

Timings: 3 PM to 7 PM (Sunday and Tuesday)

3. Big C Mall

Big C is a standard red and green shopping mall which is found throughout the city of Krabi. This mall deals in various products, including washing machines, electronic goods, fresh and preserved food, cheap clothing, children’s toys, etc. The striking feature of this chain of malls is that it sells products of brands like Bata, KT Optic, BIg Camera at a much lesser price than the other stores. These malls also host several restaurants at its food court. They generally have enormous spaces for parking, a bank with an ATM and public toilets.

Location: 34911 Phet Kasem Rd, Tambon Krabi Noi, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 10 PM (Daily)

4. Outlet Village Krabi 

The Outlet Village of Krabi is an ideal shopping destination with tons of brands having around 40% discount on most of the items. It hosts branded stores like Adidas and Nike. A non-resident of Thailand would receive tax refund upon purchases. Try to plan shopping for at least three people to make the most out of this place.

Location: Moo 11 888 Phet Kasem Rd, Tambon Krabi Noi, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM (Daily)

Stores in Krabi

1. Sabai Ba Bars and Souvenirs

Located in close vicinity to the Tubkaak, this restaurant cum bar and souvenir shop offer a wide range of recycled materials and fabrics. The bar has a limited option of Thai and International delicacies which include spring rolls with shrimp at 120 bahts to spaghetti seafood at 220 bahts. The garden of this place has a special Arabian Night’s touch featuring Thai cushions, small tables and beautifully coloured draperies. The place also sells souvenirs resembling Thai style handicrafts made of wood and ceramic.

Location: 3P5X+F9 Nong Thale, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Daily)

2. Chock Dee Handmade Jewelry Shop

If you are looking for a place in Krabi for your jewelry shopping, then this place is the perfect answer to your needs. The shop deals are great jewelry, and its service is unparalleled. Their jewelry is a work of art with precision and uniqueness. A must-visit if gifting your loved ones is awaited.

Location: 142/6 Moo 2 Tambon Ao Nang, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM (Daily)

3. Victoria Fashion House

A destination for shopping in Krabi, which has gained massive popularity in the recent past for its handmade goods, the Victoria Fashion House is deemed to be of professional quality and sells top-quality items to its customers. The quality of the clothing material is top-notch. One can get custom suits made here. A measured suit takes approximately only three days to be prepared and handed over to the customer.

Location: 6024, Tambon Nong Thale, Amphoe Mueang Krabi
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Daily)

4. Pooja Tailor

Recommended by many tourists and travelers, the Pooja Tailor’s shop serves its customers with great care and the utmost attention to minute details. They sell women's, men’s as well as kid’s wears. The quality of their clothes are high, as has been reviewed by several customers from all across the globe.

Location: 36/10 moo three Klong Muang Beach, Nong Thale, Mueang Krabi District
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

5. The Outlet Village of Krabi

The Outlet Village of Krabi is an ideal shopping destination with tons of brands having around 40% discount on most of the items. It hosts branded stores like Adidas and Nike. A non-resident of Thailand would receive tax refund upon purchases. Try to plan shopping for at least three people to make the most out of this place.

Location: Moo 11 888 Phet Kasem Rd, Tambon Krabi Noi, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi
Timings: All days from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

What to Buy in Krabi

1. Handicrafts and Local Products

Thailand boasts of its skills in handicrafts and handmade products. Krabi is no exception to this. On a typical day of shopping, you will encounter thousands of products, both contemporary and traditional, offered for sale. These are mostly made up of bamboo, cane, silk, wood, paper, ceramic etc. The variety of handicrafts usually oscillate from the depiction of animals like elephants to bead bracelets, mango wood plates, etc. It does not matter as to where these items are purchased from as skill level, and expertise remains unaltered throughout. 

Popular places to buy handicrafts in Krabi: Krabi Town Walking Street, Ao Nang Walking Street, Vogue Department Store, Klong Muang Plaza, Big C Mall, Outlet Village.
Price Range: 20 bahts to 200 bahts depending on the quality of the product

2. Authentic Jewellery in Krabi

Cheap authentic jewellery are sold by almost all of the local shops in Krabi. These include beaded, wooden and leather bracelets, chokers and necklaces, stylish earrings, etc. The shell fossil souvenir stands are highly in demand by local as well as foreign tourists. In addition to that, the market is flooded with pearl jewelry, which is thoroughly cheap, and the prices of which can be further reduced through bargaining. An exciting place to visit is the jewellery workshop at Dragonfly Silver, which teaches the basics of jewellery making and allows one to create one’s special piece at their garden workshop. The golden jewellery shops can be identified by the bright red interiors and their displays. They usually provide a buyback guarantee making it reliable and trustworthy. 

3. Knock-Offs 

Counterfeit goods bought at low costs are an excellent way to show off without leading to a pinch in your pocket. These sorts of products can usually be found at the beachfront areas. Replicas of bags, sunglasses, and watches of branded companies can be found at much lower costs. The Ao Nang’s Street is loaded with such goods.

Price Ranges: Vary according to the products. Prices are flexible and can be quickly brought down through effective bargaining.

Tips When Shopping in Krabi

• Sharpen your bargaining skills as you can get a good deal of it to get the most out of your shopping.
• The markets are bustling and hot during the peak hours of 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. So if you visit them during this part of the day, be patient and prepared for a crowd.
• For a comfortable experience, starting shopping by 5:30 pm is preferable.
• Be aware of fake goods being sold under the tags of high-rated brands.

Have a great time shopping in Krabi at these fantastic places. Shop to your heart’s content, and because of the affordable nature of Krabi’s shopping scene, binge a little bit!